Antenna Technologies has developed simple systems for the production of Spirulina, using simple tanks and specific culture medium recipes.
===Suitable Conditions===
Spirulina grows in solutions of specific minerals with the correct chemical balance and a pH of 8-11. There are various different recipes for this, depending on the budget available and the conditions. It needs a minimum of 20˚C to grow substantially, though a temperature of 35-37˚C is most effective. A good amount of sunlight is useful if the culture has a reasonable temperature and concentration. At very low temperature, low concentration of culture, or a culture that is struggling to grow.
===Construction, operations and maintenance===
[[Image:harvesting_spirulina.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Harvesting spirulina.]]
[[Image:extruded_spirulina.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Extruded spirulina laid out to dry.]]
Large Scale: If produced industrially: In green houses, large water tanks (raceway ponds), water, fertilizer, pump/ paddle wheel to move it.
'''Small scale: Materials: '''
* Flask of live spirulina
* tank – see manufacturing
The production of Spirulina requires manufacturing of a tank. The size of this depends on the scale of production, and the number of tanks. 1 tank of 18m2 produces approximately 150g of Spirulina per day.
'''Materials: '''
* 2 polyethylene sheets 2mm thick.
* 4 frames
Further, tanks usually need to be replaced or repaired after 3-4 years. Other equipment may also have to be replaced.
===Costs===
An estimate for the total costs however is 5-7 euros per kg of spirulina. The main costs involved in the local production of Spirulina are labour, nutrients, packaging, capital and administration. The costs of course depend on the local availability of materials.
In india for example, the cost of building a tank of 18m2 is 166 euro and a feeding programme here produces Spirulina at a cost of 0.01euro per child per day.
===Field Experiences===
[[Image:distributing_spirulina_chikkies.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Distributing spirulina chikkies.]]
Spirulina programs are currently being implemented in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea Conakry, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, India, and Vietnam.
They pack the Spirulina in dry form of 2 gram sachets and sold to two local NGOs. The Spirulina is also combined with millet, jaggery, and sesame to produce “chikki” a type of energy bar to feed 2000 children per day from slums in the neighborhood. At this scale of production, the facility is extremely efficient, and produces at a cost of 0.01 euro per child per day. They currently do not sell in the open market, as this requires more management and marketing skills, however this is being worked on.
===Manuals, videos, links===
{{#ev:youtube|PZo1y5lqMpA|200|right|<font size="2"><center>Production and distribution <br>of spirulina</center><font>}}